VMO-7

Marine Observation Squadron 7 (VMO-7) was an observation squadron of the United States Marine Corps during World War II. They were active for a year and a half during which time they saw action during the Battle of Okinawa. The squadron was quickly deactivated following the end of the war.Template:Sfn

History

VMO-7 was commissioned on December 15, 1944 at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. After a short period of training, the squadron moved to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa on February 27, 1945, sailing on board the British escort carrier HMS Ranee (D03).Template:Sfn Another two months of training in Hawaii saw the squadron depart Pearl Harbor on April 17, 1945, and sail for Okinawa. The squadron filtered onto the island from May 7-11 and quickly began flights spotting targets for III Amphibious Corps’ artillery. During the period between June 11-22 the squadron made 271 CASEVAC flights from a dirt strip in Naha taking 369 casualtiesTemplate:Sfn back to hospitals in the rear areas.Template:Sfn VMO-7 aircraft were engaged in combat operations on Okinawa until June 21, 1945. During the battle, the squadron flew 300 combat hours without losing a pilot or plane.Template:Sfn The unit remained on the island for the rest of the war and was decommissioned on November 16, 1945.

Awards

• File:Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbon.svg  Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze star
• File:World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg  World War II Victory Medal

See also

• United States Marine Corps Aviation
• List of United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons
• List of decommissioned United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons

References

Bibliography